HikeArizona.COM

First of all, I don't camp at FS, and I am a leave no trace, pack out what you pack in kind of guy. I don't go there to drink whiskey and crap in the creek and trash the place. I did love the rope swing at the dam, though. The last pictures I saw showed that swimming hole filled-in with debris, but there was speculation that a few big rains could wash it out again. Since it's been a very wet season, I wonder if this has happened. Does anyone have recent pictures?

The most recent pictures on the site are from last week, but don't have any from below the dam. Looking at the photos from last fall, I think its pretty safe to say that the area below the dam will require a flash flood to clear out. The wet winter causes some nice flow, and the snowmelt helps, but to move the sediment that exists now will require a major event.
http://www.hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=10835

There's always the rope in the swimming hole further upstream.

And for the sake of others who might read this thread, please be aware of new camping and campfire restrictions along Fossil Creek. I'm attaching the Forest Order for the details of the new restrictions.

BTW -
We'd love to read the triplog and see the photos from your trip.

The area below the dam is pretty much filled in with rocks. The "hole" that you used to be able to swim under to get to is filled in. The hole itself is about 6 feet deep now. Water below the dam is about 8 inches deep now. The rope swing is still there in the tree, but if you did survive it, your not going to like it. The rope swing at the "first" swimming hole has been replaced by a crappy rope. Thats the only really deep spot now. The rest of it really is just a shallow creek up to and past the dam. I think with these new "natural" changes the yahoos will probably go somewhere else.

Sounds like a good thing. Too many people (the yahoo's) take advantage of a place like this leaving behind their mess.

Wow - maybe I missed the initial discussion on the boards, but those restrictions are amazing! It's almost impossible to find a camping spot a 1/4 mile from the creek in such a narrow canyon. Unless, that is, you are a hammocker...

I was thinking the same thing! 1/4 mile from the creek is up on the ledge!

That's really too bad about the swimming area below the dam and the hole in the rock. It was truly a magical and unique spot in my opinion. I've read a lot online about it being overcrowded, but to tell you the truth I've never seen more than maybe 10 to 15 other people there throughout a full day. I've even had the place to myself a couple times in ideal weather. I am a nature lover (obviously, just by being a hiker and being on this site), but I really don't understand what disassembling the dam accomplished after it had already been decommissioned.

@ciscomd
you didnt happen to play for cisco soccer club did you?

berkforbes wrote:@ciscomd
you didnt happen to play for cisco soccer club did you?

'Fraid not. I'm a worse soccer player than I am a golfer.

There are some pictures posted from last week that show people jumping in near the dam. That seems to contradict what base871 said, but maybe I'm misinterpreting the pics. So, base, when is your info from?

My info was from last summer when I was there. Judging from the recent pics, looks like the pool below the dam is deeper.(snowmelt?) Looks like people are jumping off the rock by the hole. Couldnt do that last year. Also looks as if the hole to swim under is cleared out again, kinda can see some light coming through it. There is alot more water pouring off the dam since last summer. Ill be there at the end of May to check out the changes.

I've seen photos of people swimming below the dam in the last month. Right now the toilet bowl looks like a death trap, beware!

No rope swings that I've heard of.

base, thanks. Keep us updated and post pics if you can.

nonot wrote:Right now the toilet bowl looks like a death trap, beware!

How so?

Yup I will post pics.

Any updates? I might be going this Sunday.

Im doing an overnight there with a few friends this weekend. Ill post pics when I get back Sunday.

From recent pictures, the swimming hole is back. I don't see the rope swing though ...

http://www.hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=11213

I just did an overnight there this weekend. Here is my take on things that have changed since last year. The first swimming hole has not changed much. Lots of new signs down there indicating different things. Some right out say no campfires, others make it sound as if to "be careful" with fires. Didnt stop a group on Saturday night though. The big log to walk across has washed away. There is another tree a bit down to cross and a nice pool to swim in has formed there since last year. The damn hasnt changed much other than the spot below it is deeper. I dont think it deep enough to swing into (yet). The "hole" is back (see my photolog) although alot of water is flowing in it, I opted not to swim into it. Thats about it really. I was impressed that there was not as much trash as usual, and most of the fire pits have been destroyed. But, its still not quite summer yet! Some rangers were up in the parking lot asking of there were fires down there, but didnt seem to motivated to hike down and write tickets!

BTW you have to be 1/4 mi from the creek BELOW the dam to camp. 100ft if camping above it.

base871 wrote:Some rangers were up in the parking lot asking of there were fires down there, but didnt seem to motivated to hike down and write tickets!

I can't remember the last time (if ever) I saw a ranger anywhere deeper than at a parking lot.